What skills and experience we're looking for
Teacher of Art & Design
To start September 2025 – 1.0fte Permanent Position
For September 2025, we are seeking to appoint a Teacher of Art and Design who can deliver high-quality learning opportunities for our students in this curriculum area. As Teacher of Art & Design you will potentially engage in teaching and learning across three endorsements; fine art, photography and textiles. We are seeking a versatile teacher for this role who has excellent subject knowledge, a broad skill base and with a passion for promoting the value of creative education as a potential career pathway. The capacity to teach some Design Technology is an advantage.
Our team achieves excellent attainment and progress and a large proportion of students choose to continue the subject at A Level and beyond. The courses we are currently delivering include;
• AQA GCSE Art & Design- Fine Art, Textiles and Photography
• AQA A Level Art & Design- Fine Art, Textiles and Photography
• Edexcel Level 4 BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Studies
This is a great opportunity for an ambitious teacher to join our excellent and successful Creative Arts Team.
Ferndown Upper School is a very special place to work because we have well behaved students, who allow their teachers to teach. We also focus on work life balance to ensure that staff spend their time on the activities that actually make a difference and we have a friendly and supportive staff body.
What the school offers its staff
What Ferndown Can Offer You:
• Great students who behave – you can make a difference to their learning.
• The opportunity to work with outstanding colleagues.
• Tight, robust behaviour systems.
• Centralised detentions, including homework detentions (you do not need to organise/run/chase), helping to underpin our excellent behaviour, so you are free to teach.
• Ongoing ‘no-stakes’ feedback, helping you to continuously develop.
• We believe that trusting our staff with autonomy helps to develop a strong staff culture.
• Centralised, shared units of work and resources.
• Excellent, ongoing CPD, career development and promotion opportunities.
• A well-kept site and a very pleasant location in beautiful Dorset.
• A tax efficient Childcare or Car Lease Scheme through salary sacrifice.
• Private Healthcare Plan including 24/7 access to a GP by phone, gym discounts and cashback for optical, dental and other appointment expenses for employees and their children.
• Access to the staff benefits and discounts portal through Dorset Council.
Commitment to safeguarding
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check (formerly CRB) in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines. Ferndown Upper School values the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community. This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process. The school will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates.